Review ~ The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani

Adriana Trigiani’s novels have been described as “dazzling,” “utterly splendid,” “exquisite,” “hilarious,” “heartwarming,” and now, with The Supreme Macaroni Company, she has written a delicious modern tale that takes readers from the cobblestone streets of Greenwich Village, to lush New Orleans, and home to Italy, while exploring the tricky dynamics between old world craftsmanship and new world ambition, and the ultimate love affair that fuels one woman’s determination to have it all

For over a hundred years, the Angelini Shoe Company in Greenwich Village has relied on the leather produced by Vechiarelli & Son in Tuscany. This historic business partnership provides the twist of fate for Valentine Roncalli, the school teacher turned shoemaker, to fall in love with Gianluca Vechiarelli, a tanner with a complex past . . . and a secret.

A piece of surprising news is revealed at The Feast of the Seven Fishes when Valentine and Gianluca join her extended family on a fateful Christmas Eve. Now faced with life altering choices, Valentine remembers the wise words that inspired her in the early days of her beloved Angelini Shoe Company: “A person who can build a pair of shoes can do just about anything.” The proud, passionate Valentine is going to fight for everything she wants and savor all she deserves-the bitter and the sweetness of life itself.

Romantic and poignant, told with humor and warmth, and bursting with a cast of endearing characters, The Supreme Macaroni Company is a sumptuous feast of delights: a portrait of a woman and the man she loves, her passion for craftsmanship, and the sacrifices it takes to build and sustain a family business while keeping love and laughter at the center of everything. My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is just another reason as to why Adriana Trigiani is one of my most favorite authors. In this book, the end of the trilogy, she touched me with all the feels one could imagine. Tissue warning.

The book brought me, once again, to the table of the crazy Italian American family. A table that I know so well and remember with such fondness. The crazy aunt, the loud voices always talking over each other, and the bickering.

The connections, the names, and the meaning behind it all just kept putting that lump back in my throat. It was all for a purpose and one so full of unconditional love that it touched me so deep inside.

I honestly cannot say that I saw Valentine’s life going in the direction it did, and I must say I am extremely heartbroken over it. However, the lessons, although too late, were good ones. Perhaps the lessons were not too late and they happened as a result of things that were fated; however, devastating they may have been. I haven’t cried this much since The Shoemaker’s Wife over a book and I’ve read many in between, including all of Adriana’s.

The imagery and descriptions in a Trigiani novel are always spectacular and this one was perfect. The dialogue was spot on and very well done and it gave us such a sense of the dynamic of all the people involved in the story. I cannot say that I’m happy with this ending, but I understand it and all it’s lessons and hopes for her future. It makes me wish that Valentine will go forward with purpose and live what she learned.

Now with my broken heart and sore eyes, I will sit and wait for another Adriana Trigiani masterpiece.